Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Merced, CA
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median $100,120 a year — 57% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $72,881 take-home, or $6,073 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in Merced, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,196
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,207
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,452
- California income tax$5,082
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,302
- Take-home pay$72,881
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Merced, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,520 | $35.83 | $57,537 | $4,795 |
| 25th percentile | $92,570 | $44.50 | $68,370 | $5,698 |
| Median (50th) | $100,120 | $48.13 | $72,881 | $6,073 |
| 75th percentile | $128,220 | $61.64 | $89,543 | $7,462 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,410 | $62.22 | $90,230 | $7,519 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,120 buys in Merced, CA
Prices in Merced, CA are 1.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median elementary school teachers, except special education's $72,881 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,161 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Merced, CA has 2.2× the national concentration of elementary school teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for elementary school teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Merced, CA ranks #11 of 328 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakima, WA | $98,330 | $78,005 | $81,642 |
| 2 | Olympia, WA | $104,650 | $82,451 | $79,532 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $100,380 | $79,447 | $79,385 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $98,800 | $78,336 | $78,066 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $100,730 | $79,694 | $77,793 |
| 6 | Bellingham, WA | $101,230 | $80,045 | $77,463 |
| 7 | El Centro, CA | $100,390 | $73,043 | $76,746 |
| 8 | Bremerton, WA | $102,650 | $81,044 | $76,741 |
| 11 | Merced, CA | $100,120 | $72,881 | $74,161 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 328 metros →
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries elsewhere in California
- El Centro, CA — $100,390
- Visalia, CA — $98,430
- Modesto, CA — $101,640
- Hanford, CA — $98,470
- Sacramento, CA — $103,390
- Chico, CA — $95,000
- Yuba City, CA — $97,000
- Stockton, CA — $97,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a elementary school teachers, except special education make in Merced, CA?
The median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in the Merced, CA metro area is $100,120 a year, or about $48.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $92,570 and $128,220.
What is a elementary school teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Merced, CA?
On the median $100,120 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $72,881 a year ($6,073 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,383 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Merced, CA a good place to work as a elementary school teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 57% above the national median of $63,970. Local prices are 1.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,161 would in a typical U.S. city. Merced, CA ranks #11 of 328 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford rent in Merced, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Merced, CA is $1,213 a month ($1,503 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median elementary school teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.